Prepare and efile Your California State Tax Return

The efile tax software makes it easy for you to prepare and efile your California state tax return. Your basic state tax return forms will be automatically populated with the data you entered on your federal tax return. Any additional state forms will be listed for you and will be ready for you to complete and efile. You can prepare and efile your California state tax return (resident, nonresident, or part-year resident) together or separately from your federal tax return. View the federal tax return filing requirements. You can prepare and efile multiple state tax returns on efile.com for one price.

California Income Tax Filing Deadline

The regular tax deadline to file/efile a California state income tax return is April 15.

Tax Deadline Date

Type of Income Tax Return

Filing Deadline/Due Date Description

April 17, 2018

2017 California State Income Tax Return

Due date for California State Income Tax Returns-income tax filing deadline

April 17, 2018

2017 California State Tax Extension

Due date for California automatic extensions

October 15, 2018

2017 California State Tax Return

Last day to efile a 2017 California State Income Tax Return for tax extension filers and late efilers

CA State Tax Forms That Cannot Be efiled

California State Tax Withholding Form

CA Tax Extension

California grants an automatic 6-month extension of time to file a state income tax return (through October 15, 2018). You don't have to apply for the extension, and no form is required.

If you owe taxes, you must still pay the amount due by April 17 or you will begin to accrue penalties and interest. If you file later than October 15, 2018, you will be penalized for failing to file as well as for failing to pay.

CA Personal Property Tax:

In California, all real property is taxed based on the fair-market value, and property taxes are collected locally.

Odd Tax Fact:

A "jock tax" is a special income tax levied on traveling athletes, entertainers, and other nonresident performers who worked in the state at some point during the year. There are now "jock taxes" in more than 40 states, but the very first state to levy such a tax was California. The tax was originally levied in 1991, just in time to tax Michael Jordan's income after the Chicago Bulls beat the LA Lakers in the NBA finals.